How is the new expiration date on a passport renewal calculated?

Question: Does the new expiry date for a renewed passport come 10 years from the application date or 10 years from the date the old passport will expire? Meaning, I have several passports to renew for my family. Some will not expire for another 10 months so I will be willing to do them in 2 batches if I will lose those 10 months on the new passport.

Answer: Validity is calculated from the date the passport is issued. If you apply early, you will lose the remaining validity in the passports you have. However, the Department of State encourages Americans to apply for renewals approximately 9 months prior to the expiration dates in their passports. The reason is twofold.

One, it can take up to 3 months to renew a passport. Estimated processing time is 4-6 weeks. While it is sometimes completed more quickly, several factors can contribute to longer processing times such as the submission of unacceptable documents and passport photo or errors on the application forms. Such lengthy processing times are not the norm but it can happen.

Two, many countries require at least 6 months validity in a passport before they will grant a visa or, if no visa is required, permission to enter.

Combining the possible 3-month processing time with the 6-month validity requirement gives a total of 9 months. Nine months prior to the expiration date is the earliest you should apply.

When you submit the renewal applications really depends on your travel plans. If you plan to travel prior to the expiration date on the passports, be sure to verify the validity requirements for the countries you plan to visit and apply for renewals accordingly.

Comments for How is the new expiration date on a passport renewal calculated?

Question: My passport was issued around 1997, and expired in 2007. It was never lost or stolen while valid - however, now in 2017 I do not know where it is. 1) Can I apply for renewal (assume not). 2) Do I need to bring my old passport if I apply for a new one? (Traveling abroad end of October)

Question: I thought my passport expired ten years from my issue date. I was just at the post office to ask about renewal and they told me it was fifteen years from issue. Can you please clear this up? Thank you.

Answer: A U.S. passport issued to an applicant age 16 or over is valid for 10 years from the date of issue. The passport can be renewed by mail up to 15 years from the date of issue. In other words, you can renew your passport by mail up to 5 years after it expires. You do not need to visit an application acceptance facility in order to renew a passport by mail. Send a completed form DS-82, previously-issued passport, a recent passport photo and payment for fees. You can find a complete list of requirements and addresses to which you can mail your application here.

Does Ireland have a six month restriction on renewed passports?by: Anonymous

Question: Does Ireland have a six month stay regarding renewed passports or will it be valid for use it to go to Ireland as soon as it is renewed?

Answer: Your passport is valid for travel to any destination from the day it is issued. Some countries require a passport have at least 6 months validity remaining beyond duration of stay. That is, the passport must still have at least 6 months validity before it expires. Ireland only requires a passport be valid for the duration of stay.

Renewal for expired passport by: Anonymous

Question: My passport expired on May 30th, 2015. Will there be a penalty if I renew it 3 mos from now?

Thank you.

Answer: There is no penalty for renewing your passport a few months after it expires. If you wait more than 5 years after the expiration date, you will no longer be able to renew by mail but will be required to apply for a new passport at an application acceptance facility.